Once the excitement of the proposal settles in and you’re ready to start wedding planning, one of the first decisions you have to make will be choosing wedding colors. Choosing the perfect palette may seem like an easy task but knowing which direction to go can be more complicated than expected! The variety of colors to choose from is endless, making finding the right shades to pair together a bit of an obstacle. I'm here to help guide you down the right path with creative ways to choose your coveted wedding colors that'll speak to who you are as a couple and create a celebration you and your guests will never forget!

1. Favorite Colors

A common and simple way to decide on colors is to use both of your favorite colors - as long as they look nice together that is! If your groom’s favorite color is lime green and yours is red then it might not turn out how you would like but there still may be a way for it to turn out well - and beautiful too! Before completely ruling it out, take a look at different shades of your favorite colors, placing them together to see which ones go best together. You may find that a leafier green and muted light red could possibly work for the look you’re going for. If it's just not working, let's take a look at my next tip...

2. Pretty Paints

A great way to visually compare different shades of colors at one time is to go to the paint section of a hardwood store and start piecing together paint chips of colors you like. Take them home and see which colors stand out to you. These paint color cards can be extremely helpful because they typically have 3-4 different shades on one card, ranging from lightest to darkest, so that you can view a variety of tones at once. Also, any excuse to spend some quality time at the hardware is a win-win with your hubby-to-be ;)

3. Joint Activities

What are your favorite activities to do together? Does it involve being inside or exploring the great outdoors? A lot of times what you enjoy doing together can also speak to what colors you would like to represent your wedding. Enjoy the beach? Then a shade of blue could be an option. Fan of the mountains? Then neutrals and greens would be great options to start with. If ballrooms and theaters are more your thing, then regal colors such as crimson red, gold, or silver are fabulous choices. This helps to identify the base color and from there you can expand on accent colors that pair nicely.

4. Birthstone Colors

Birthstone colors are often overlooked but can make for a beautiful palette if examined closely for your wedding. It’s a sweet, sentimental way to decide on colors together. If the colors don’t seem to pair nicely together, try variations of shades in your birthstone colors to create a magical and personalized wedding. You may even be surprised how the colors cater to your personalities.